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TES: The largest network of teachers in the world
Portions not contributed by visitors are Copyright 2018 Tangient LLC
TES: The largest network of teachers in the world
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What are your initial thoughts about the concept of Literacy with ICT (LwICT)?
Initially I was confused as to what was meant by LwICT, but after spending the morning and afternoon looking at the continuum, I think I understand it better and believe it is important. Utilizing technology that a large number of students are already using in their personal lives will hopefully help the students connect to the material and value the learning they are doing.
What implementation barriers for LwICT do you foresee at Senior Years?
One of the barriers I foresee at the Senior Years level is probably one at all levels, and that is funding. Providing schools with the hardware that teachers and students want to make use of has a large cost.A second barrier is overcoming teacher apprehension. New and experienced teachers can find using technology in the classroom intimidating because they see their students as the ones who possess the knowledge. Convincing people to take that risk, use technology they might not be completely comfortable with can be a challenge.A third barrier might be time. Many teachers see implementing technology into their courses as just "one more thing" they have to do. It takes time to learn communication technology as well as develop the ways to infuse technology into courses. Unless time is provided for this to happen, teachers may be reluctant to use it.
What opportunities does LwICT present for Senior Years?
LwICT presents several important opportunities for teachers, students and families at the Senior Years level; an important one being connection. Through the use of websites, e-mail, blogs, text messaging, podcasts, and instant messages, people have multiple ways to connect, distribute information, share ideas and collaborate. It opens up classrooms to be more transparent allowing families and school to stay in closer contact, it enables classrooms to collaborate with teachers and students in their building or in another country and it allows teachers to be accessible (if they chose to be) to their students outside of the classroom.
In terms of production in the classroom, LwICT opens up the types of learning and assessment tools teachers and students can create and use to learn and demonstrate learning. Again, the connection aspect is available here. For example, students who create a wiki-portfolio can access it from anywhere, the teacher can access it from any where, and it can be put on display for just about any audience.
Which leads into another opportunity: feedback. LwICT gives students the ability to publish their creations and receive feedback from a much larger audience than just their teacher or classmates. This type of feedback could incredibly valuable for increasing motivation and focus.
What professional learning is required initially to prepare Senior Years teachers to begin to use the LwICT continuum?
There will need to be clarification as to what exactly LwICT is. Coming here, I was not clear as to what it was and even after a day of discussing and learning about it, I'm not sure I would be able to articulate it clearly.
More to come...
What types of ICT do you currently have in your Senior Years classroom?
Currently I have a data projector, several computers with Internet connection, word processors, spreadsheets, and powerpoint, interactive whiteboard, digital video camera, and laptop cart in my classroom.
What types of ICT are available to you in your school, but not in your classroom?
We have a lab of iMacs with a variety of software applications, gps devices, open wireless in part of the building, microscope cameras which connect to data projectors, scanners, computer labs, stylus and pad for recording writing on computer.
What subjects and grades do you teach and how do you currently use ICT to enhance student learning?
Math, chemistry and physics. I use blogs, e-mail and a website to communicate with my students and their families. I use cellphones and several websites to collect data during and after class from my students and their parents. The interactive whiteboard is used to capture notes and lessons distribute to students and parents. Microsoft office is used to produce lab write-ups, presentations and graph collected data.